Female kickboxer and University of Lancashire (UCLan) physiotherapy student Becky Gardner has become England’s new Kickboxing Champion.

A fantastic achievement for Becky who was the youngest competitor in her age and weight group at the World Kickboxing Council English Championships 2013. Becky will be representing her country in the World Championships later this year.

The black belt first dan fighter beat off competition from both intermediate and black belt kick-boxers before being crowned as the winner of the adult under 55kg category.

18-year-old Becky will now represent England at the sport’s World Championships later this year in Cyprus.

The first year BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy student commented: “I’m very pleased to win in this category. The hard work has paid off and I have now been given the chance to represent England on the world stage.”

The former Cardinal Newman College and Lostock Hall High School pupil took up kickboxing when she was 13-years-old and her friend took her to a class in Preston.

Becky has since spent the last five years improving her skills at several training centres in Preston before recently moving to a new club in Bolton called Northwest Warriors.

She added: “My coach Paul Smith is seen as one of the best in the country and pushes me really hard in training. I usually train around three times a week and enjoy the adrenaline rush before I fight and the feeling after working hard at training.”